Denise Welch will be back on home turf for panto this Christmas but viewers watching her on ITV today were wondering where the actress’s accent has gone.

The Geordie former Coronation Street star was won awards for her short film, Black Eyed Susan, which portrays a mother’s battle with depression and draws upon Denise’s own experience.

Denise , who is starring in Jack & the Beanstalk in Newcastle’s Times Square between December 11 and December 30, appeared on Lorraine with her son, Louis Healy, who features in the film.

Speaking about the movie, Denise said: “As it manifests with me, I’d never seen it in a dramatic sense portrayed anywhere, which is why I wanted to make the short film to show an episode of depression...

“Hopefully those who suffer depression can take something from it.”

Fans were supportive on social media, praising the star for going public about her battles and raising awareness about depression.

One said: “Bless Denise for always making people aware about depression. The illness that isn’t always visible.”

There was something a little different about Denise’s diction though, with viewers picking up a posher than usual accent, Mirror Online reports .

“Denise sounds like she thinks she’s at the Queen’s annual garden party!” One said, before adding, “Rah rah!”

Read More

Denise is - of course - an actress, and skilled at making herself best understood to audiences beyond the North East.

Black Eyed Susan has won awards at film festivals in the USA, where the Geordie accent hard for Americans to comprehend. Remember how long Cheryl lasted on American X Factor? TV show TMZ says viewers found her twang “too thick” to understand. And there’s Hollywood star and Heaton native Charlie Hunman, who speaks with little trace of a Tyneside tone.

But it’s safe to say we can expect Denise’s accent to return when she’s back on home turf for panto season - where the locals will have no trouble understanding her.